Fourth of July, part 2

First goal achieved (clean laundry) I decided to head into the city, hoping to go to the Museum of National History. First time navigating the metro by myself, but luckily I had an excellent teacher, one of my fellow TSIers who explained the system, and actually it all made sense. (It is a great system) Station I wanted to get off on was closed, but no problem and I emerged into the wall of heat and began walking down to Constitution. Unfortunately many many people had the same idea as I. As I approached the Museum I was a little dismayed to see hundreds of people standing in line, on either side of the doors, waiting to go inside. Standing in the blazing sun. Line not moving too fast (checking all bags inside - security). So I continued on my way, seeing the same thing at other museums. Natural History didn't look too bad on the outside, but inside a sea of faces looking tired, sweaty, a little overwhelmed. Hard to enjoy exhibits when you're in such a crowd.

On the verge of deciding I'd made a mistake, and discretion is the better part of valor, walked a little further and found myself at the National Gallery. Not busy. Not empty, but not busy.
What a wonderful collection and a beautiful building. Large rooms, couches to sit on and contemplate paintings. Statuary and fountains and greenery as well. And so many wonderful paintings. I especially liked the current exhibit entitled The Little Ice Age- paintings by Hendrick Avercamp a Dutch painter whose lived 1585-1634. His paintings are small, and show detailed scenes, filled with life usually on ice, mixing skaters and people at play with people at work. I had never heard of him before, and after the time spent during my pilgrim days pouring over Dutch painters, I sort of thought I knew most of them. I bought the exhibit catalog, so you call all see what I am talking about one of these days.
Several hours in the West Wing (I wish) and then the East Wing which is a fabulous building.
I am so glad I was able to see it all.

Some strange odor of bad eggs pops up in the evening in the dorm. What's that about I wonder. Well it's time to get back to Shakespeare work - finish my rereading of Twelfth Night (play for this week) and then meet with my group (one of my many groups) about a project due Thursday. Spent several hours writing about comets and earthquakes today - that's another project. Just so you don't think I'm kidding when I say we have a lot of work to do.

It is hot - like a wall of heat outside. More later!